41

patrons

$327

per month

Uncumber Theatrics is a Pittsburgh-based theater company dedicated to pushing the limits of improvisational actors and improvisational techniques to create innovative theatrical playgrounds. Since 2013, Uncumber Theatrics has confronted the very definition of what we can safely call a “show.”

Improvisational actors have the unique ability to think outside the script. Uncumber Theatrics utilizes these gifts to devise new worlds, tell unusual stories, and bring renewed life to written work. Like a good improviser, we believe in the fluidity of the moment and embrace how audiences impact a performance.

In this vein, Uncumber Theatrics believes in activating audiences. Audiences are our co-conspirators. We want to challenge audiences to take charge of their theatrical experiences through investigative spaces, complicit storytelling, meaningful choices, and interactive gameplay.

Through pioneering interactive mechanisms and strategic risk-taking, we seek to forge true bonds between audiences and actors. We endeavor to give audiences the chance to see and know themselves better—not only by holding up a mirror, but allowing audiences to walk through it.

WHY MONTHLY SUPPORT?Oh, we have plans. Such plans. Both big and small.

Monthly sustainer support allows us to be both more strategic and yet also more spontaneous.

With a reliable pool of funds, we can better predict what resources we will have available and plan for projects for the long term. This dependable pool also frees us to jump on opportunities as they come without quickly scrambling to assemble needed funds in a pinch. It directs our attention and energy into creating, rather than the messy business of fundraising.

Reliable funding also allows us to do free events, pay-what-you-can performances, and pop-up theater responding to the needs of the day (not that, say, the world is such that we would need to suddenly and without notice create a responsive work of art). It ensures that we can keep ticket prices affordable and shows accessible for all.

Crowdfunding in this way promises to keep us pleasantly fringe, underground, independent, fearlessly experimental, and alive for years to come.

WHY NOT DEPEND ON GRANTS?Grants for independent fringe theater artists outside of the non-profit model are sadly few and far between. These grants often pose their own limitations on the work, require long vetting and lead-up times, and are a little skittish around phrases such as “audience-controlled,” “open-ended,” and “morality-based Skinner Box.” (Understandably.)

We do have a few projects in mind that we hope grantees might get behind. But we also have several projects unlikely to find formal support. (Hint, hint: these are the fun ones.) And we are eager to get started.

FUNDING TIERSOur funding tiers offer two things that might be of import to our hard-core followers: access and pre-sale ticketing.

Patron-only Content: Until now, secrecy has been our modus operandi. And for the uninitiated, let it remain so. But for you, our patron, we offer you this glimpse behind the curtain. Each month, we will share insights into our process, our inspiration, our philosophy, and our artifacts. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets and stories from past shows.

For upper tier donors, we offer even more: canon lore that comprises the foundation of our Uncumber universe.

Pre-sales: Almost all of our shows have sold-out, often within a week of launching ticketing. Our last show, Mass, sold out in under 62 hours. Becoming a patron is great way to make sure you don’t miss out.

But be warned: even with early access, when the tickets are gone, they are gone. Everything must go. Use your gift quickly and wisely.

WHAT’S TO COME?A sandbox adventure exploring work culture and Pittsburgh’s cult of innovation? A full post-apocalyptic subterranean musical with you as the star? An exploration into a strange epoch in the history of science that answers a question you never knew to ask? A walk through a park followed by a once-familiar song? A Victorian Christmas party where the parlour games turn personal? A massive, city-wide, social media hoax? Workshops? Guerrilla theater and outdoor busking events?

Maybe, maybe. It’s best not to speculate too hard.

Ideas are the easy part. What ultimately determines the production is timing, opportunity, access, resources, and funds. What can ultimately determine the realization of these ideas is YOU.

Coupon code for 20% off ticket price for each ticketed production. (*Delivered as part of pre-sale notification. Does not apply to pay-what-you-can or busking events... unless you're good at math on the spot, I suppose.)

Goals

Reaching $500 per month would put us on track for funding two modest-sized productions for late-Spring and Fall 2019, OR one moderate-sized production later in the 2019 season.

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Uncumber Theatrics is a Pittsburgh-based theater company dedicated to pushing the limits of improvisational actors and improvisational techniques to create innovative theatrical playgrounds. Since 2013, Uncumber Theatrics has confronted the very definition of what we can safely call a “show.”

Improvisational actors have the unique ability to think outside the script. Uncumber Theatrics utilizes these gifts to devise new worlds, tell unusual stories, and bring renewed life to written work. Like a good improviser, we believe in the fluidity of the moment and embrace how audiences impact a performance.

In this vein, Uncumber Theatrics believes in activating audiences. Audiences are our co-conspirators. We want to challenge audiences to take charge of their theatrical experiences through investigative spaces, complicit storytelling, meaningful choices, and interactive gameplay.

Through pioneering interactive mechanisms and strategic risk-taking, we seek to forge true bonds between audiences and actors. We endeavor to give audiences the chance to see and know themselves better—not only by holding up a mirror, but allowing audiences to walk through it.

WHY MONTHLY SUPPORT?Oh, we have plans. Such plans. Both big and small.

Monthly sustainer support allows us to be both more strategic and yet also more spontaneous.

With a reliable pool of funds, we can better predict what resources we will have available and plan for projects for the long term. This dependable pool also frees us to jump on opportunities as they come without quickly scrambling to assemble needed funds in a pinch. It directs our attention and energy into creating, rather than the messy business of fundraising.

Reliable funding also allows us to do free events, pay-what-you-can performances, and pop-up theater responding to the needs of the day (not that, say, the world is such that we would need to suddenly and without notice create a responsive work of art). It ensures that we can keep ticket prices affordable and shows accessible for all.

Crowdfunding in this way promises to keep us pleasantly fringe, underground, independent, fearlessly experimental, and alive for years to come.

WHY NOT DEPEND ON GRANTS?Grants for independent fringe theater artists outside of the non-profit model are sadly few and far between. These grants often pose their own limitations on the work, require long vetting and lead-up times, and are a little skittish around phrases such as “audience-controlled,” “open-ended,” and “morality-based Skinner Box.” (Understandably.)

We do have a few projects in mind that we hope grantees might get behind. But we also have several projects unlikely to find formal support. (Hint, hint: these are the fun ones.) And we are eager to get started.

FUNDING TIERSOur funding tiers offer two things that might be of import to our hard-core followers: access and pre-sale ticketing.

Patron-only Content: Until now, secrecy has been our modus operandi. And for the uninitiated, let it remain so. But for you, our patron, we offer you this glimpse behind the curtain. Each month, we will share insights into our process, our inspiration, our philosophy, and our artifacts. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets and stories from past shows.

For upper tier donors, we offer even more: canon lore that comprises the foundation of our Uncumber universe.

Pre-sales: Almost all of our shows have sold-out, often within a week of launching ticketing. Our last show, Mass, sold out in under 62 hours. Becoming a patron is great way to make sure you don’t miss out.

But be warned: even with early access, when the tickets are gone, they are gone. Everything must go. Use your gift quickly and wisely.

WHAT’S TO COME?A sandbox adventure exploring work culture and Pittsburgh’s cult of innovation? A full post-apocalyptic subterranean musical with you as the star? An exploration into a strange epoch in the history of science that answers a question you never knew to ask? A walk through a park followed by a once-familiar song? A Victorian Christmas party where the parlour games turn personal? A massive, city-wide, social media hoax? Workshops? Guerrilla theater and outdoor busking events?

Maybe, maybe. It’s best not to speculate too hard.

Ideas are the easy part. What ultimately determines the production is timing, opportunity, access, resources, and funds. What can ultimately determine the realization of these ideas is YOU.

Coupon code for 20% off ticket price for each ticketed production. (*Delivered as part of pre-sale notification. Does not apply to pay-what-you-can or busking events... unless you're good at math on the spot, I suppose.)